How to Care for Massangeana Cane Corn Plants

Messangeana cane corn plants, also simply called corn plant or Dracaena fragrans, grow 5 to 15 feet tall. It forms a tropical clump of evergreen leaves with stripes down the middle. Corn plants grow outdoors in USDA zones 10 and 11, which means that it only overwinters in the very hottest regions of the south where the temperature stays above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Most often, therefore, people grow corn plants as an indoor plant.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Peat
• Perlite
• Spray bottle
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Plant the massangeana corn plant in a large pot filled with half peat and half perlite. Alternatively, plant the corn plant outdoors in an area with dappled shade and fertile, organic soil.

2. Water the corn plant deeply after planting. This plant is susceptible to root rot, so you will not want to overwater. Water again only when the soil dries. Stop watering in the winter as growth slows.

3. Mist the leaves weekly with a spray bottle. This will help wash off any dust gathering on the leaves and increase humidity for the plant.

4. Fertilize the corn plant with a water-soluble fertilizer marked 20-20-20 when growth begins. Follow the directions on the package for application instructions as each brand will differ. Stop fertilizing over the winter while the plant is dormant.

Tips & Warnings

• Space multiple corn plants 18 to 24 inches apart when planting outdoors.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Dracaena Fragrans
• Texas A&M University: Corn Plant
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Indoor Plants